[Robert A Cook PE]

Only part of the M1A1 armor is depleted Uranium. Most is a classified series of "thin", high strength steel/Kevlar plates angled to "splash" the high energy gasses from a shaped charged around and deflect them. Theoretically, a single shaped charge of gas could get through between the plates if it hit at just the right angle to go between the angled plates and hit the inside steel with getting deflected.

For example, maybe the RPG came form above and hit the turret at an angle that a "regular" round from a conventional tank on the ground couldn't get to.

Or, the round could have hit the joint between the turret and main body. It could have hit the hatch itself (which is just "regular armnor plate"), and the driver/gunner (?) be inside just below the hatch. taht would injure/kill the driver, even if the hatch were shut.

[EODGUY]

Two things I consider absolutes, RAC.....the unpredictability of explosives and bullets.

Our coroner, who was also a friend, was killed many years ago when a .22 caliber bullet penetrated his hand (defensive wound) and struck him in the head.

Several years later I was involved in clearing a house that had been booby-trapped by a subject who was shot in the face from 70 yards away by a tactical officer with a .308. The subject exited his residence, pointed a firearm at an officer and descended one step from his porch as the sniper fired. The .308 round entered the subject's mouth, followed the inner contour of his lower jaw and exited just below his left earlobe. Shot in the face with a 308 and within 30 minutes he was stitched up and in jail.

At times, logical explanations are difficult to ascertain.


EODGUY